Restoring Faculty Center is an overwhelming task – UP president

MANILA, Philippines – University of the Philippines ​President Alfredo Pascual said “the UP community is one in contemplating with deep sadness the losses brought about by the fire  in Faculty Center of UP Diliman” on April 1. 

In a statement released on April 6, Pascual emphasized that the Faculty Center is more than just a physical structure but a place of “historical and cultural significance” to the university.

Pascual recalled the Faculty Center’s role as a witness to important and memorable events in the university, and as a symbol of the institution’s commitment to intellectual pursuits. (READ: Fire razes home of UP’s brightest artists, intellectuals)

“The Faculty Center was a place of discourse, reflection, and creation. And every room of this edifice was a repository of books, artworks, archival materials, and rare memorabilia,” he said. (READ: UP community mourns loss of ‘historic’ Faculty Center)

“It was home to performing groups who have brought pride to the University and enriched our culture and traditions as a people. In its every corner are memories we treasure,” added Pascual.

The fire at the building began at around 1:15 am on Friday, April 1. Senior Supt Jesus Fernandez of the Bureau of Fire Protection-Quezon City declared fire out at 11:20 am.

The blaze caused damage estimated at P3 million, and faculty members lost important documents and memorabilia. (WATCH: What does the UP Faculty Center look like after the fire?)

Building back

Pascual assured the College of Arts and Letters (CAL) and College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP) faculty, staff, and students of the administration’s support, praising the resilience of all who suffered losses. He expressed the university administration’s “full support for the efforts of Chancellor Michael Tan and his team in addressing the displacement of the affected.”

Even as he recognized that “restoring normalcy is an overwhelming task,” the UP president was optimistic that UP would continue to show solidarity even during this unfortunate event.

Pascual said destroyed facilities are now being restored, saying that the UP System consulted with the deans of CAL and CSSP so that their needs are addressed.

He noted that the university is “undertaking an emergency procurement for more computers and projectors, plus printers, other office machines, and air conditioning units, to be supplied to CAL and the 4 CSSP departments hit by the fire (namely, Anthropology, Linguistics, History, and Philosophy).”

Pascual remained hopeful the building’s legacy will inspire the university’s community.

“Now, let a different flame be kindled—one which lights up ever so brightly in our hearts— in this, our dark moment. And let the light spread among us and guide our way, united in spirit and action as One UP.” – Rappler.com

Keren Anne Bernadas is a Rappler intern who is at her 3rd year of studying AB Broadcasting at Bicol University.